Suspect In Bank Robberies & Hialeah Carjacking Captured

Pedro Luis Valdes was captured by the FBI Thursday night. He is wanted in two recent bank robberies and a carjacking involving a 3 year old child. The child was returned safely to his parents (Source: FBI)

HIALEAH (CBSMiami) – FBI agents have arrested a man they say robbed two South Florida banks and stole a car with a toddler inside.

Pedro Luis Valdes was arrested Thursday night. No additional details have been released by the FBI.

Police say Daniel Rivero, 3, was in his parents’ SUV Wednesday afternoon when Valdes jumped in the vehicle with Daniel still in the car. The boy was eventually dropped off in front of a TD bank at NW 57th & 7th Street and reunited with his parents.

Hialeah police released some of the 911 calls for help moments after the carjacker sped away from the scene.

In addition to the carjacking, the FBI said Valdes is wanted for two armed bank robberies, one at the Regions Bank, 8373 West Flagler Street on July 13 at 11:50 a.m. and the other occurring Wednesday at the Bank of America at 7760 West Flagler Street at 2:15 p.m.

The FBI confirmed that Valdes is considered armed and dangerous.

“Here’s a suspect who robbed a bank on Friday and then came to our city today and was involved in a carjacking and then he drops the child off at a bank he did not rob and then robs another bank,” said Rodriguez. “That’s amazing. It shows you can never leave your child alone in a car ever, no matter how short a time,” said Hialeah police spokesman Eddie Rodriguez.

“Hialeah Police did a great job and because of the response, I think the child was found very quickly,” said Rodriguez. “This was every parent’s worst nightmare.”

The little boy was in his parent’s silver Mitsubishi Montero in the area of NW 58th Street and NW 37th Avenue when they stopped to buy ice cream from a truck vendor

That vendor, Rafael Gomero, told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench, “I feel bad about what happened. I am glad he is back with his parents. I saw him in the police station and he is ok.”

It is unclear if the Montero is still missing.

Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.